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Mpox course to support GPs to ‘stay informed and proactive’
With epidemiology of the disease evolving, a new RACGP activity prepares GPs to identify, manage, and prevent further cases.
Australia reported more than 1400 cases of mpox in 2024, with the majority being locally acquired.
Mpox is an emerging global health concern with increasing relevance in Australian general practice.
A new RACGP education module designed to equip GPs with the knowledge and skills to recognise, assess, and manage mpox in the context of evolving epidemiology and clinical presentations, is now available.
Funded by the Victorian Department of Health, the gplearning activity ‘Mpox: Identification and management’ was developed with the college’s medical educators and other experts.
Despite the majority of cases so far reported in Victoria, the course takes a national approach.
Dr Melanie Bissessor is a sexual health physician at the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre and subject matter expert who worked on the module. She told newsGP it was introduced in response to the ‘evolving epidemiology’ of mpox in Australia.
‘Since its first detection in May 2022, mpox has transitioned from sporadic cases to sustained local transmission, particularly of clade IIb in 2024,’ Dr Bissessor said.
‘Given the increasing case numbers and the potential for severe illness, especially among vulnerable populations, there was a clear need to equip GPs with up-to-date knowledge and resources to manage and prevent mpox effectively.’
In May this year, the first case of mpox clade Ib was confirmed by the Australian Centre for Disease Control, with global data indicating its case fatality rate lower than clade Ia.
The World Health Organization (WHO), which declares the zoonotic disease a global public health emergency, is monitoring the two distinct clades of the virus: clade I (with subclades Ia and Ib) and clade II (with subclades IIa and IIb).
Dr Bissessor remains concerned about the spread of the virus as a ‘significant public health concern’.
‘In 2024, Australia reported more than 1400 cases, with the majority being locally acquired,’ she said.
‘Victoria, for instance, confirmed 306 new cases between April and October 2024. While the general risk to the broader population is low, certain groups, particularly men who have sex with men, are disproportionately affected.
‘Continued vigilance, early detection, and preventive measures – importantly vaccination – are crucial to curbing the spread.’
The mpox vaccine became available in Australia in 2022, and is recommended for those at risk before exposure for best protection, but can be administered either before or after a person is exposed to the virus.
Cases of mpox have mostly been identified in gay, bisexual, and men who have sex with men populations, although anyone can be affected, and people who are at risk of mpox include those who have had close physical contact, including sexual contact, with an mpox case.
To date this year, 148 notifications of the disease have been recorded, with the majority in Victoria (61) and New South Wales (40), among males in the 25–29 year age group.
According to global WHO data, between 1 January 2022 and 30 April 2025, there were 142,151 reported cases from across 133 countries, with 328 deaths.
The first half of the RACGP activity covers the epidemiology of mpox, as well as vaccination coverage, clinical presentation, diagnostic process and treatment management. The second half presents three case studies for GPs to apply their knowledge.
Learning outcomes include to:
- describe mpox, including its modes of transmission, epidemiology, and the demographics of populations most at risk
- identify the clinical presentation of mpox and outline appropriate diagnostic testing, including specimen collection, handling, and transport
- describe the management of mpox, including treatment options and factors that influence disease severity and progression
- explain the preventive measures that patients can take to reduce the risk of mpox transmission.
By completing the module, Dr Bissessor says GPs will be better prepared.
‘To identify, manage, and prevent mpox cases, ensuring timely care and reducing community spread,’ she said.
‘By staying informed and proactive, GPs play a pivotal role in managing and preventing mpox outbreaks within the community through advocacy for vaccination.’
The
gplearning activity is eligible for 0.5 hours Educational Activities (EA) and 0.5 hours Reviewing Performance (RP), and members can access it via
the CPD platform.
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